Dress code and offending people

[branston boy]

Hello Casardas.I could not agree more.A lad for my background I never fail than to be amazed at what I see.( probably came a out a little wrong )My father certainly would not be able to comprehend it.and my eldest sister stiil thinks cruising is Butlins on water.

 

Rodger

[R'man]

As long as those who don't care to dress up understand the restrictions that places them under on formal nights. It's not just the dining room.

 

Yes, well, of course. Some things just aren't done. I'll leave it to staff to enforce whatever restrictions the line imposes.

[robbie_3]

Therein lies the rub. Most of the passengers on Cunard do spend the time, money and effort to look befitting of the environment and appreciate others who respectfully do the same.

 

There are well established and published guidelines pertaining to dress for men and women for all occasions and environments. Debrett's Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners being one of the most recognized references.

 

There is now an updated Debrett's Guide, published in 2014. A little more comprehensive and comes in red and gold binding with gold spine title and gold edged pages, looks good on the bookshelf too :)

Edited November 2, 2015 by robbie_3

[Slugsta]

A while back in this thread someone mentioned that they have seen a man wearing a stetson in the dining room on formal night. We. also saw this on our very first cruise, 9 years ago now, on the QE2. We mentioned this to the Maitre and were told that National dress is acceptable as formal wear - and the cowboy outfit, complete with boots and stetson - is considered the National Dress of Texas. He also indicated that there was also the feeling that some people get aggressive if the are challenged about their attire and take the attitude that they will wear what they like when they have paid for the cruise :(

[Bostonjetset]

A while back in this thread someone mentioned that they have seen a man wearing a stetson in the dining room on formal night. We. also saw this on our very first cruise, 9 years ago now, on the QE2. We mentioned this to the Maitre and were told that National dress is acceptable as formal wear - and the cowboy outfit, complete with boots and stetson - is considered the National Dress of Texas. He also indicated that there was also the feeling that some people get aggressive if the are challenged about their attire and take the attitude that they will wear what they like when they have paid for the cruise :(

 

That must have been an interesting sight in the dining room! haha

Of course, I think it is kind of cool that they allow national dress variations for formal wear; we are part of a great big world after all and formal wear is quite different in some parts than the typical Anglo-American notions we are used to. On QM2 the only "variations" I saw were a few men in kilts and a Japanese lady in a lovely formal kimono.

[Tothesunset]

A couple of years ago on Silversea there was a young couple (late 20s, maybe) who had dyed hair, piercings and wore outre clothing but who were such lovely people. We very much enjoyed their company but some of the old grumps aboard took great pleasure in a bit of recreational harumphing.

 

Anyway, off Japan we had a formal night where the girl dressed in the most splendid kimono and the chap in the male equivalent. And very elegant they looked too. Would you believe that people complained to the Maitre d' that they were inappropriately dressed for a formal night? It was pointed out that they were in fact dressed extremely formally in the costume of Japan and were permitted to continue dining.

 

I think the morals of the tale are a. Judge the person not the appearance and b. Accept that there are varieties of formal dress that do not include a penguin suit.

 

Quite frankly there are some fairly hideous conventional formal outfits seen on formal nights and some variety, if done in good taste, is both enlivening and interesting

[Deeliteful]

Absolutely agree with Tothesunset. Too many people are stuck in the past and only really enjoy themselves when complaining.

[BlueRiband]

Lex orandi, lex credendi.

[pepperrn]

... Too many people are stuck in the past and only really enjoy themselves when complaining.

I agree, esp on land, I see/hear them everywhere; moan, moan, moan.

They don't know they are alive unless something goes "wrong" (in their view) and they can have a good complain, it makes their day.

 

Fortunately on Cunard ships I've witnessed none of the former, and only a very few of the latter.

 

Best wishes.

Edited November 3, 2015 by pepperrn

[Deeliteful]

I agree, esp on land, I see/hear them everywhere; moan, moan, moan.

They don't know they are alive unless something goes "wrong" (in their view) and they can have a good complain, it makes their day.

 

Fortunately on Cunard ships I've witnessed none of the former, and only a very few of the latter.

 

Best wishes.

 

I have witnessed them on land and at sea!:D C'est la vie. Whilst not everything was perfect on my last Cunard cruise, I have never had a BAD cruise, so still looking forward to enjoying this one. Just hope the food has improved. (Thought I should end with a moan :rolleyes:)

 

Cheers

[Tura Lura]

We are crossing on QM2 next week - I anticipate my dark suit with white shirt will suffice, as on our previous crossing close to 50% of men wore suits rather than dinner jackets. It is interesting that Cunard, with its British tradition, is so much more formal than the British are generally - who are distinctly more casually dressed than, say, Italians and French. At the theatre yesterday the overwhelming majority were in blue jeans, with fewer than a dozen, out of hundreds of men, wore a jacket - much less a suit ---- far less formal than would be the case in New York.

 

Not sure what theater in NYC you're going to. I go fairly often and wear jeans or whatever i want. Most folks are not in suits anymore at the the theater in NYC. You can if you like, but it's def not the norm.

[jimmybean]

Out May TA on the QM2 will be our first Cunard experience, and we are eagerly looking forward to it. We have always sailed on HAL and have always enjoyed it. Why do you prefer Cunard? The more formal atmosphere? It seems that the QM2 and HAL are different sailing experiences.

 

Hi Tampa Girl,

 

Some of the reasons we prefer Cunard (over HAL) include:

 

(1) Love of the QM2 as a ship---just everything about her : ) --how she looks inside and out, up-close and from a distance : ) She is grand! And, how she sails!

(2) We preferred the meals we have had on Cunard ships compared to meals we had on HAL

(3) Fellow passengers on Cunard sailings included more diverse nationalities vs mostly Americans (granted this was no doubt tied to specific itineraries and not that we don't enjoy fellow Americans---just part of the fun of travel has been meeting people from other countries). ...I don't think it is the clothing on Cunard as much as the people we have met and enjoyed…

(4) We have found the daytime lectures on Cunard ships very entertaining---our favorite shipboard activity!

 

Of course, there are many similarities among cruise lines, but also atmospheres that seem unique to particular ones.

 

I hope you have a great crossing next May! Please tell us about your experience afterwards.

 

Happy Sailing!

 

Jimmybean

Edited November 14, 2015 by jimmybean

[jetson54]

Another dress code question, what is the appropiate wear for afternoon high tea? Any tips appreciated.

[pepperrn]

Another dress code question, what is the appropiate wear for afternoon high tea? Any tips appreciated.

Hi jetson54,

 

There isn't a dress code for afternoon tea; most (99%?) will simply turn up in whatever they've got on at that time/put on that morning.

A few (1%?) will wear something smarter/dressier.

 

I've done both; continued to wear what I was wearing when I had lunch in the Golden Lion or Britannia Restaurant.

Or on certain "special" days (someone's birthday, anniversary, escorting certain ladies, last full day on board on a crossing, once when I was on board QE2) I'll put a jacket and tie on, to make more of the atmosphere, surroundings and high-camp that is Cunard Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room!

 

I dislike it when people sit in the Queens Room in their very sweaty gym gear & shorts (seen that), obviously straight in from the pool, shoeless and still dripping (seen that), or (seen in the Caribbean) a guy carrying his shirt, and then placing it over the back of his chair, until told (wife) to cover up :eek: .

 

But equally I think passengers should most definitely NOT be like Hyacinth Bucket; constantly changing clothes throughout the day, every hour, as if everything they do on board, each venue (bar, lecture, restaurant), requires a different set of clothes (unless you've just come from the gym or pool!) :rolleyes: .

 

Hope some of this helps :)

Edited November 14, 2015 by pepperrn

[3rdGenCunarder]

Hi jetson54,

 

There isn't a dress code for afternoon tea; most (99%?) will simply turn up in whatever they've got on at that time/put on that morning.

A few (1%?) will wear something smarter/dressier.

 

I've done both; continued to wear what I was wearing when I had lunch in the Golden Lion or Britannia Restaurant.

Or on certain "special" days (someone's birthday, anniversary, escorting certain ladies, last full day on board on a crossing, once when I was on board QE2) I'll put a jacket and tie on, to make more of the atmosphere, surroundings and high-camp that is Cunard Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room!

 

I dislike it when people sit in the Queens Room in their very sweaty gym gear & shorts (seen that), obviously straight in from the pool, shoeless and still dripping (seen that), or (seen in the Caribbean) a guy carrying his shirt, and then placing it over the back of his chair, until told (wife) to cover up :eek: .

 

But equally I think passengers should most definitely NOT be like Hyacinth Bucket; constantly changing clothes throughout the day, every hour, as if everything they do on board, each venue (bar, lecture, restaurant), requires a different set of clothes (unless you've just come from the gym or pool!) :rolleyes: .

 

Hope some of this helps :)

 

I've been to afternoon tea in my bathing suit. Remember the old magradome pool on QE2? I would go for an afternoon dip in the pool, and when I was done swimming I could slip on a coverup and sit in one of those lovely wicker chairs and tea would be served.

[BlueRiband]

I've been to afternoon tea in my bathing suit. Remember the old magradome pool on QE2? I would go for an afternoon dip in the pool, and when I was done swimming I could slip on a coverup and sit in one of those lovely wicker chairs and tea would be served.

 

There's a world of difference between wearing a swimsuit coverup in a poolside lounge versus trying to wear one in a formal ballroom. :eek: Everything has its time and place.

[pepperrn]

I've been to afternoon tea in my bathing suit. Remember the old magradome pool on QE2? I would go for an afternoon dip in the pool, and when I was done swimming I could slip on a coverup and sit in one of those lovely wicker chairs and tea would be served.

Sounds utterly delightful, 3rdGenCunarder :) .

Sadly the Lido area around the (original 1st Class) pool and the Magnadrome itself had been removed by time I saw this part of QE2 for myself.

However, looking at photos of it before removal, I can well see how enjoyable it must have been to enjoy tea there.

I wonder if you can get "proper" afternoon tea served at those wicker tables and chairs near the Deck 12 Pavilion Pool on QM2?

Again, your memories of tea around the pool on QE2 sound lovely :)

Edited November 14, 2015 by pepperrn

[pepperrn]

There's a world of difference between wearing a swimsuit coverup in a poolside lounge versus trying to wear one in a formal ballroom. :eek: Everything has its time and place.

Quite :)

[3rdGenCunarder]

There's a world of difference between wearing a swimsuit coverup in a poolside lounge versus trying to wear one in a formal ballroom. :eek: Everything has its time and place.

 

I know! Just trying to be funny. Obviously an epic fail, sorry.

 

I believe very firmly in dressing appropriately. I am sorry to see lines dropping evening dress codes. When people are expected to change for dinner, it is hoped that they will shower after their day in port. When people walk around all evening in the clothes they wore in port all day, they look grubby.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Sounds utterly delightful, 3rdGenCunarder :) .

Sadly the Lido area around the (original 1st Class) pool and the Magnadrome itself had been removed by time I saw this part of QE2 for myself.

However, looking at photos of it before removal, I can well see how enjoyable it must have been to enjoy tea there.

I wonder if you can get "proper" afternoon tea served at those wicker tables and chairs near the Deck 12 Pavilion Pool on QM2?

Again, your memories of tea around the pool on QE2 sound lovely :)

 

Almost nobody used that pool. I felt like it was my private indulgence. It was where they put the stairs down to the Pavillion in the refit. Much as I missed that pool, the change to the "cafeteria" Lido that many long-time QE2 passengers hated was a practical move, especially since the magrodome roof was jammed closed for most of its life.

 

I don't think they serve tea on any outdoor decks on QM2, do they? I used to love chairside tea service on QE2's sundeck, especially on a lazy sea day when it seemed like too much work to get out of my comfy lounger and go to the Queens Room.

[pepperrn]

Almost nobody used that pool. I felt like it was my private indulgence. It was where they put the stairs down to the Pavillion in the refit. Much as I missed that pool, the change to the "cafeteria" Lido that many long-time QE2 passengers hated was a practical move, especially since the magrodome roof was jammed closed for most of its life.

Yes, I'd read that it wasn't very reliable. Also too hot in summer (when closed), and dripping condensation in winter.

And, along with the two large tenders, rather upset the free flow of passengers up and down the terrace of stern decks (which was restored when it was removed). But it looked great on the inside :)

I don't think they serve tea on any outdoor decks on QM2, do they?

Not as far as I know. But the Deck 12 Pavilion Pool is under the opening glass roof, sort-of equivalent of QE2's magnadrome, and has wicker chairs and tables, that's why I wondered if you could get "proper" tea there.

I used to love chairside tea service on QE2's sundeck, especially on a lazy sea day when it seemed like too much work to get out of my comfy lounger and go to the Queens Room.

If I'm sat, in the sun, in one of QM2's steamer chairs on Deck 7 Promenade, it is far too much work to do anything, even step inside to the Kings Court to get tea!

 

Happy sailings :)

[3rdGenCunarder]

Yes, I'd read that it wasn't very reliable. Also too hot in summer (when closed), and dripping condensation in winter.

And, along with the two large tenders, rather upset the free flow of passengers up and down the terrace of stern decks (which was restored when it was removed). But it looked great on the inside :) Not as far as I know. But the Deck 12 Pavilion Pool is under the opening glass roof, sort-of equivalent of QE2's magnadrome, and has wicker chairs and tables, that's why I wondered if you could get "proper" tea there.If I'm sat, in the sun, in one of QM2's steamer chairs on Deck 7 Promenade, it is far too much work to do anything, even step inside to the Kings Court to get tea!

 

Happy sailings :)

 

I don't know about tea by the Pavillion Pool, but I know that there's bar service. I can be flexible in my choice of poolside beverage. :D

[Toffeegirl68]

I'm less offended by what people wear than how they behave, what they say - and how loud they say it !! :)

[pepperrn]

I don't know about tea by the Pavillion Pool, but I know that there's bar service. I can be flexible in my choice of poolside beverage. :D

I admire your sensible practicality in the face of extreme adversity; "What, no earl grey? I suppose, under the circumstances, another martini will have to do... " ;) . I hope that I'm always as understanding, flexible with choice, and forgiving :D

 

Sincere best wishes and many happy sailings.

Edited November 14, 2015 by pepperrn

[BoisDore]

On the topic of daytime dress... I've been curious about that.

 

I know there is no dress code before 6pm, but what are the averages like?

 

For what it's worth, I - and most people I know - are the sort that rarely leave to house* looking "put together". Casual, sure. But never sloppy or lazy. On our September TA will we be having lunch with people in tracksuits?

 

*exception for early morning dog walks